Prosecutors Charge Woman For Killing Tow Truck Driver In Hit and Run

Shavelle Lewis was driving with a suspended license when she struck and killed William Padilla, 51, at 1:26 a.m., said charging documents filed in King County Superior Court. Padilla was kneeling on the ground next to a disabled vehicle on the entrance ramp from Spokane Street to southbound I-5 when he was struck.

After the crash, Lewis did a U-turn and drove away, charging papers said. Troopers found Lewis and her 31-year-old passenger nearby, charging papers said.

Troopers said that Lewis smelled of alcohol and had watery, bloodshot eyes, charging papers said. Lewis told investigators that she had a glass of wine that night. Results of a blood-alcohol draw are still being evaluated by the state crime lab, the charging papers said.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim said in charging documents that Lewis has convictions for prostitution, hit and run and drug crimes, and has been sought on 14 arrest warrants since 2008. Two days before the collision she was arrested on warrants, and was released from custody the day before the crash, Freedheim said.